Al Bano, whose birth name is Albano Carrisi, is said to have been a judo fan for a number of years and was present at last year’s World Championships in Astana and the 2011 celebrations in Paris marking the 60th birthday of the IJF.

He joins Andrea Bocelli as an IJF Ambassador after the Italian classical tenor was appointed last November.

"This is a great honour for the international judo community to have such a great artist and human being as the new IJF Ambassador," said IJF President Marius Vizer.

Born in the town of Cellino San Marco, Al Bano made his debut in 1966 both as a singer, at the Festival delle Rose, and on television.

He won the Disco per l'Estate, an Italian song contest, with "Pensando a te" in 1968 and also recorded major hits such as "La siepe" and "Nel sole".

Al Bano, now 72, sang together with fellow Italian Romina Power for almost 30 years with their most popular song, Felicità, making Carrisi an international star.

He returned to his solo career in 1996 and today tours all over the world.

Other IJF Ambassadors, who pledge to promote the sport, include two-time world champion Joao Derly.

The Brazilian was appointed into the role at the 2015 World Championships.

The appointment of Al Bano comes on the back of the IJF signing a deal with Todini Costruzioni Generali S.P.A earlier this week. 

The arrangement means that the Italian construction firm has now become an official partner of the IJF, with the agreement set to run for four years.